Definitely, a dream
објавио/-ла је Wandering Soul у Азорес Форум
Dear James,
I am sorry to hear that you have become disillusioned with your beautiful country. Sao Miguel is a refuge for several of your countrymen who feel the same way as you. But, if your situation is as you say it is, there is good news but a good deal of bad news too. So, in response to your questions:You are not wealthy...On Sao Miguel, you wouldn't need to be. The average family (note...FAMILY, not individual) lives on around 1000 euros a month. Utilities (electricity etc) are really cheap. Food is very cheap. White goods are very cheap. Funny things (like ironing boards and rubbish bins) can be curiously expensive.
Will you find sustainable work. I would say, definitely, no. Although most people seem to speak some English here (having relatives or having spent a good deal of time in North America during the great migration in Salazar (the dictator's) time, but you would need to speak Portuguese in order to work here and it's not an easy language to learn, but in any case, there isn't a great deal of employment on the island and what there is will probably go to the locals.
No, there aren't a lot apartments/houses for rent. Most rental accommodation is reserved for holiday lets. People are reluctant to do long term lets because if somebody refuses to leave the accommodation and stops paying their rent, it is a long expensive legal battle to get them out of that accommodation. If you want to check out what is on line, do a search on the 'Idealista' website.
There is reasonable public transport in the bigger towns, but you would need a car.
The quality of healthcare is pretty good in our experience and once you're a resident, you would qualify for free healthcare.
I know an American who is close to moving out here (waiting for his old dog to die first). If you want me to put him in touch with you, let me know. In the meantime, if you have questions, let me know. I hope you can, somehow, find your way out here. It's a lovely lifestyle.
All the best.